Subject: headlines NUKE-NET HEADLINE ALERT '95 (May 15) Reuter is reporting that China conducted an underground nuclear test just days after it agreed to the indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Germany and Kazakhstan -- the country closest to the test site -- all strongly condemned the explosion, with Tokyo warning that bilateral ties, including billions of dollars in economic assistance could be in jeopardy. (May 16) Reuter is reporting that New Zealand condemned China's nuclear test and said their failure to declare a moratorium on nuclear testing program runs counter to China's responsibility as a major power and permanent member of the Security Council (May 15) Reuter is reporting that Canada deplores China's nuclear test and calls for a cessation of testing by all weapons states. (May 15) Reuter is reporting that China provoked an angry response from Asian neighbors, Russia and the United States on Monday when it set off an underground nuclear blast. Japan, Australia, South Korea, Kazakhstan and Germany all protested, calling for Beijing to join other nuclear powers who have suspended test programs. Some experts believe this test will bolster the position of France's president to resume nuclear testing. (May 15) Reuter is reporting that 5,722 workers who either put out the fire at Chernobyl or built the "tomb" have died. Thousands who did not work at Chernobyl also died from radiation and about 3.7 million people were affected in some manner. (May 15) Reuter is reporting nuclear physicists concluded that last month's seizure of illegal materials in Slovakia was not enough to make a bomb. Slovak police working with Interpol and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation seized 40.5 pounds of uranium-238 after a complicated six-day sting operation. The seizure supported suspicions that Slovakia and the Czech Republic have become a corridor for the trafficking of nuclear materials. Czech police last year seized six pounds of uranium-235 which had been enriched to 87 percent. (May 15) Reuter is reporting that Australia condemned China for conducting a nuclear test and accused China of ignoring international opposition to nuclear testing. (May 15) UPI is reporting that North Korea has agreed to hold reactor talks with the US in Malaysia later this week. (May 15) UPI is reporting that the White House issued the following statement on the Chinese nuclear test -- "Today, China conducted an underground nuclear test at the Lopp Nur test site in northwest China. The United States deeply regrets this action, coming only days after the successful conclusion of the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) Extension Conference in New York where China agreed to exercise "utmost restraint" in nuclear testing pending the entry into force of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We urge China to restrain from further nuclear tests and to join the other nuclear powers in a global moratorium as we work to complete a CTB Treaty at the earliest possible time." (May 16) Reuter is reporting that 11 South Korean nuclear protestors were tear gassed after breaking into the mayor's office in the city of Inchon to protest plans to build a nuclear-waste dump on a nearby island. The protesters destroyed a door with steel pipes, smashed furniture and sprayed fire extinguishers. They threw firebombs from the roof of the building at police who were quickly able to overpower the uprising. (May 16) Reuter is reporting that Indonesia condemned China's nuclear test and calls for all countries to support a comprehensive test ban treaty. (May 16) UPI is reporting that the European Commission is fighting clandestine nuclear smuggling but is not being adequately funded by the European Union states. (May 17) Reuter is reporting that the recent pact between Bulgaria and Russia involving transportation of nuclear wastes through Moldova and Ukraine has been postponed. (May 17) Reuter is reporting that for the second time in a month, the Soviet-designed Bohunice nuclear plant in Slovakia has shutdown because of problems in the security alarm system. (May 17) Reuter is reporting that Iran denies that it is planning to build 10 nuclear plants. (May 17) UPI is reporting that senior Pentagon officials advised a Senate panel to support the START II nuclear arms treaty which would limit US and Russian warheads to 3,500 and eliminate intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple warheads by the year 2003. (May 17) UPI is reporting that the German Parliament convened an 11-member panel to investigate whether law enforcement authorities staged a plutonium smuggling incident. (May 17) UPI is reporting that talks between Ukrainian and G-7 officials ended without an agreement on how much financial aid will be given to close Chernobyl. (May 18) Reuter is reporting that German Chancellor Helmut Kohl denies any prior knowledge of the plutonium smuggling incident. (May 18) Reuter is reporting that Bulgaria might build its own nuclear waste storage facility now that the transportation agreement has been postponed. (May 18) Reuter is reporting that Finland is planning to construct an underground disposal facility to avoid sending spent fuel back to Russia. Finland has two Soviet-built reactors. Greenpeace says Russia has been separating plutonium from the returned spent fuel for use in making nuclear weapons. The $800 million dollar project to excavate a 1500 feet deep cavern in bedrock will begin in 2010 with completion expected by 2020. (May 18) Reuter is reporting that Japan is denying reports that it is planning punitive steps against China over the recent nuclear test. (May 18) Reuter is reporting that India condemns the Non- Proliferation Treaty. The Prime Minisyer says it legitimizes the threat of nuclear weapons because it is discriminatory and does not provide for their elimination. Despite recent cuts in the US and former Soviet arsenals, they have four times more weapons than when the NPT was first signed. A US report said India has the capability to build fission and hydrogen bombs with its stockpile of 650 pounds of plutonium. India can deliver weapons with aircraft or short-range and intermediate-range missiles. Indian leaders are under little public pressure to bow to US-led efforts to have New Delhi and Pakistan cap and eventually eliminate their nuclear programs. (May (18) UPI is reporting that the planned sale of Chinese reactors to Iran is slowed because of site selection problems and technological trouble with reactor design. The design problems are being experience at China's Daya Bay reactor which has been idle since December 17 1994. Control rods at Unit I are not dropping into the core quickly enough to prevent an emergency. Although Unit II passed the drop test, the rods have slowed from previous tests indicating a design problem. France's Frametrome SA has been awarded contracts to build two more nuclear reactors at the Daya Bay plant despite the ongoing troubles. The shutdown is costing China $1 million per day. [The story implies but does not specify that China will resell French-designed reactors to Iran. One should note that China and France are the only countries pursuing nuclear bomb testing at the present time. portzlines88] (May 19) Reuter is reporting that Japan will announce on Monday the punitive steps it will take against China for testing a nuclear bomb.